The Saint-André de Saux church, winner of the Pilgrim Prize for Transmission and Sharing

With its bell tower, its fortress silhouette stands out on the village square. The Saint-André de Saux church seems solid, capable of resisting for eternity. However, “infiltrations in its deteriorating roof are ruining the entire interior,” explains Christian Bessières, mayor of the new commune of Porte-du-Quercy bringing together Saux and three other small villages in the Lot. There is therefore an urgent need to save this beautiful building, rebuilt in the 15th and 16th centuries around its Romanesque apse. The Gozon family, lords of the place, added two side chapels to its nave with three unequal bays in the 17th century. She also sponsored a campaign of baroque style decor and furniture including a communion table with stone balusters, a preaching pulpit and woodwork. The church is also included on the list of historic monuments. “We have ten churches to manage and we are only 600 inhabitants,” continues the mayor, “but it is our duty to preserve such monuments, to maintain the heritage.” He hopes that the Pilgrim Prize for Transmission and Sharing in partnership with the Safeguarding French Art foundation, will enable it to complete the first phase of restoration. But there will still be a lot of work inside and, for the moment, “it can only be opened on request, particularly for groups”, specifies the councilor. In fact, the man has not yet come across volunteers who can manage the key.